Governor's Legacy
Soil Health and Habitat Program

The Governor’s LEGACY Soil Health and Habitat Program is designed to help North Dakota farmers strengthen cropland productivity and resilience by establishing perennial grass cover on marginal or unproductive cropland. LEGACY is administered by North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts with local delivery through Soil Conservation Districts and partners. LEGACY offers a simple, short-term option for marginal or unproductive cropland; providing economic incentives with opportunities to enhance wildlife habitat, improve soil health. Additional options and economic incentives are available for public access. The North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department received an Outdoor Heritage Fund grant with support from various partners to support the LEGACY Program.

Applications will be accepted during the following batching periods:
• February 2–27
• March 2–27

For more information and to apply, contact your local Soil Conservation District.

If you are interested in enrolling your land in PLOTS contact the North Dakota Game and Fish.

Find Your Local Conservation District Field Office

Find Your Local ND Game and Fish Field Office

Program Details

Legacy Fact Sheet

Program Goal:
The program aims to enroll up to 10,000 acres.

Eligible Land:
The program targets actively farmed cropland, with an emphasis on marginal or unproductive acres such as low-yielding fields, inefficient areas to farm, stream buffers, and wetland buffers. Land already established in grass (e.g., former CRP or hay land) is generally ineligible, and conversion of native grassland is not encouraged.

Agreement Length:
Participants enter into a five-year agreement.

Annual Payment:
Annual payments are based on the average county rental rate for the county where the land is located.

Establishment Cost Share:
A flat cost-share payment of $100 per acre is provided to help cover seed and establishment costs.

Crop Insurance Benefit:
Participants receive a $10 per acre crop insurance premium reduction for grass acres enrolled through the program. This credit is applied to the following year’s crop insurance bill and is available each year of the agreement. Required information is submitted to the Risk Management Agency (RMA) by the state Game and Fish Department.

Public Access (Optional):
Public access is voluntary. Landowners who choose to provide access receive an additional $15 per acre payment of grass seeded. The Game and Fish Department manages contracts related to the access component.

Haying and Grazing:
Haying is not allowed during the five-year agreement. Weed management may be permitted based on the Soil Conservation District’s management plan. Fall grazing may be allowed on a case-by-case basis if approved by the Soil Conservation District and if grazing does not cause repeated or excessive trampling.

Seed Mixes:
Seed mixes are expected to focus on quick-establishing grasses and forbs (such as intermediate or tall wheatgrass, or alfalfa) rather than high-diversity native mixes, reflecting the shorter duration of the program.